Catholic community dedicates new chapel

Published 6:00 pm, Sunday, January 27, 2008

By VALERIE L. JONES

Members of Prince of Peace Catholic Community and visitors gathered Thursday morning for the dedication of Mary Chapel.

Mary Chapel is the newest addition to the community. Construction on the chapel began in early 2006. Mary Chapel, named after the mother of Jesus, was built to help meet the needs of the rapidly growing parish.

The chapel seats up to 350 people and was constructed to serve as a secondary worship area for weekday worship, weddings, funerals, prayer services and other special activities.

There is a stained glass in the center of the church. The principal furnishings are individually created works made out of wood and are embedded with sections of stained glass. The chapel also includes two parlors that can be used for those preparing for ritual activities, such as weddings or funerals.

During the rite of blessing ceremony, the Rev. John Keller, pastor at Prince of Peace, praised the contractors and architects who worked on the building and design of the chapel.

“It’s difficult to construct such a multi-faceted building, especially when it’s a living building,” Keller told the congregation. “There was always something going on or taking place.”

Keller also praised parishioners for their cooperation and support.

“We’ve gotten through this whole construction phase without one complaint,” he said.

Keller told the congregation that more furnishings for the chapel are on the way and he believed positive things were ahead for the new chapel.

“Mary Chapel will continue to bloom and blossom,” he said.

Prince of Peace Catholic Community is located on 19222 Tomball Parkway in Houston, TX 77070. For information, visit the website at www.houstonpopcc.org.